A 37,000 sq ft pharmaceutical R&D facility in Wirral will house up to 200 skilled workers when it opens in 2025 and the project has reached a key milestone. Tony McDonough reports
Building firm Eric Wright Construction is on track to complete a 37,000 sq ft pharmaceutical R&D facility in Wirral by May 2025.
Eric Wright says the building in Moreton, for global pharmaceutical firm Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), has now reached its highest point with roof works starting and the completion of specialist ground source heat pump installation works.
When completed next year the facility will offer space for up to 200 office and laboratory staff. BMS has had a presence in Moreton since World War II. The site is used for testing new drugs and for evaluating existing ones.
Early successes included providing the first ever human clinical trial supplies of an ACE inhibitor and helping to make the treatment available to patients with high blood pressure, and creating technologies for the delivery of diabetes treatments.
In 2021 the global business invested almost £9m in an existing building at Moreton. Retaining most of the original infrastructure, the site was redeveloped to improve its energy efficiency and carbon footprint.
And sustainability is key to this latest project. It will include large panels of glazing maximising natural light. Flexible office seating with a range of collaboration zones helps to inspire collaboration, creativity and innovation, while increasing capacity.
Designed by ADP Architects, the new building is targeting BREEAM ‘outstanding’ accreditation and will also feature extensive landscape areas.
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Steve Reid, pre-construction director at Eric Wright Construction, said: “The team is incredibly proud to be working with Bristol Myers Squibb on this project delivering a low energy, low carbon and sustainable facility.
“It is great to have reached these milestones and be on track for practical completion in May 2025.”
A ground source heat pump, designed and installed by specialist subcontractor Geroserv, is fundamental in providing the energy efficient heating and cooling of the building space.
The overall installation of the geothermal probes and grouting has the capacity to provide 180kW of heat/cooling per hour.